Bingo card with array modification means

ABSTRACT

A bingo card provided with a slidable selector that is movable between first and second positions, the selector has transparent and opaque portions and in its first position exposes to view, through a set of spaced windows, the entirety of a sequence of stationary numerical indicia, while in its second position the opaque portions obscure from view a portion of the stationary indicia. The opaque portions carry indicia that is exposed to view through the windows (in lieu of the obscured indicia) when the selector is in its second position.

[4 1 Sept. 30, 1975 United States Patent 1191 Feldhausen 273/130 B 273/136 F 273/135 B 273/135 B 273/135 BC 273/135 BC m m aqm r m" m m m fiov mu ummwam. MDCLBHs 6258 7-73 5666777 9999999 HHHHHHH 856955 73397-009 60039 2 0 .0 46 30036357- -J4000OO63 7 333333 9 2 7 6 0. 4S 6n ,3 nK w Y m A a R hh S dk N aw AA F 4 E 7 H .e 9 TM m 1 l V w m 9 0 nt DI am K RT MS D m C 0W. m GD n d mo v m BM h F l l l 4 6 2 5 7 m 211 App]. No.: 530,657

- Primary Examiner-Richard J. Apley Related Application Data Assistant Examinerl-larry G. Strappello Continuation of Ser. No. 311,479, Dec. 4, abandoned.

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert E. Breidenthal [57] ABSTRACT A bingo card provided with a slidable selector that is [52] US. Cl..... 273/136 F; 273/135 BC; 273/136 H 51 int. A63F 3/06 58 Field of Searchmn 273/130 B, 134 o, 134 GA,

movable between first and second positions, the selector has transparent and opaque portions and in its first 273/135 B, 135 BC, 136 R, 136 F, 136 H,

0 130 65, 109 position exposes to view, through a set of spaced windows, the entirety of a sequence of stationary numeri- [56] Refer nces C t d cal indicia, while in its second position the opaque UNITED STATES PATENTS portions obscure from view a portion of the stationary 40/62 indicia. The opaque portions carry indicia that is exposed to view through the windows (in lieu of the obscured indicia) when the selector is in its second position.

.lohnson.....

Buses et a1.

Campbell 273/136 F Padgett...................... 40/65 14 Claims, 9 Drawing Flgures lll U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 1 of4 3,909,001

US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 S heet2 0f4 3,909,001

US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,909,001

US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet4 0f4 3,909,001

BINGO CARD WITH ARRAY MODIFICATION MEANS This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 311,479, filed Dec. 4, 1972 and now abandoned.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in cards for playing bingo and the like, and more particularly pertains to a means for manually enabling the permitting the numbers displayed in an aligned sequence of displayed numerals.

The primary purpose of the invention is to increase the educational value, pleasure and suspense of playing games such as or related to bingo, while requiring greater alertness on the part of the players, and additionally, to increase the likelihood of a card becoming a winner in a fewer number of calls or plays.

The invention involves in a bingo playing card of the type wherein a positional array of vertical columns and horizontal rows of numerical indicia sequences are displayed, the improvement comprising in combination therewith of means for selectively changing at least one of said displayed sequences into an alternative and different displayed sequence, said means including a selector member slidably mounted on the card for reciprocating movement between limiting first and second positions and operative in said respective positions selectively to display said one sequence and said alternative sequence.

An important feature of the invention is the provision of a slide movable between two limiting positions, with such slide serving in combination with the card to display, in one version of the invention, one sequence of numbers in one of the two positions and a permutation of such sequence or a different sequence when in the other of such positions; and, i another version of the invention, the substitution of an alternative array of numerical indicia. The latter version of the invention can employ yet another slide enabling selective presentation of a second alternative array.

These, and other objects, aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on considering the hereinafter described preferred embodiments of the invention, such descriptions being given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrative thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a bingo card improved in accordance with the invention and with the card in readiness to commence a game;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 except that the card reflects several calls having been played and the permuter or number interchanger slide having been shifted from its original to its other position;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view taken upon the plane of the section line 33 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view taken of the card shown in FIG. 1, and illustrates particularly the permuter and its mounting;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary isometric view illustrating a modified permuter for use in lieu of the permuter of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of a modification of the bingo card;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the card of FIG. 6 with both of the two selector means in their initial or inactive positions; and,

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views similar to FIG. 7, however, they respectively show one and the other of the two selector means in their operative or active positions displaying alternative arrays of numerical indicia.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the various views, the reference numeral 10 designates the improved bingo card generally.

The term card is employed in a somewhat broader sense than is customary, the bingo card having evolved, as will be seen, from a simple printed card upon which grains of corn or the like were placed to indicate plays or the location of called numbers to a device incorporating moving parts to designate called numbers that are manually actuable by means of tabs extending upwardly through slotted openings in the top of the card.

The card 10 is of a generally rectangular or square overall configuration with rounded corners as shown and comprises top and bottom walls 12 and 14, respectively, that engage and which are spaced by an intermediate wall or spacer plate 16. The walls 12, 14 and 16 all have continuous peripheral margins and are of the same external configuration and size. When assembled with other parts yet to be described, the walls 12,14 and 16 are retained in assembled relationship by a continuous row of stitching 18 that extends about the card 10 through the peripheral margins of the walls 12, 14 and 16 in uniformly spaced proximity to the peripheral edges of the card 10 as clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. It is to be understood that the walls 12, 14 and 16 are preferably made of a paper product such as what is commonly called cardboard or pasteboard and the row of stitching 18 is ordinary lock stitched cotton, polyester or nylon thread.

The top wall 12 is, of course, opaque and is, within the confines of the stitching 13, provided with a rectangular array of square windows or openings 20, such openings 20 being arranged in five vertical columns such as the columns indicated at 22 and 24 and in five horizontal rows such as those indicated at 26 and 28. Each window of the array of windows 20 is common to a single column and single row. For example, a window 30 is common to column 26 and row 26, a window 32 is common to column 26 and row 28, a window 34 is common to column 22 and row 26, and a window 36 is common 'to column 22 and row 28. Every column and row of windows is comprised of five windows, and, for example, the column 22 includes the previously mentioned windows 34 and 36, and windows 38, 40 and 42.

The top wall 12 is optionally provided with an additional window 44 which can be situated below and in alignment with a column 46 of windows 20 as shown, or at any other location that will not interfere with or obstruct the performance of any of the functions hereinafter described (especially the permitting of numbers in any selected column in accordance with the invention).

The upper surface of the bottom wall 14 has printed thereon an array of numerals 50 corresponding in number, location and size so as to be in registry with and viewable through the windows as will be seen presently. In addition, a number 52 such as the numberal 19, for example, is printed on the bottom wall 14 in registry with the window 44.

A large proportion of the spacer wall or plate 16 is, within the confines of the stitching 18, cut out or removed to provide a hollow space 54 of generally rect angular configuration and defined largely by edges 56, 58, 60 and 62. The size of the rectangular hollow is such that the numerals 50 can be seen through their respective windows 20. The panel 16 is recessed or further cut away at 64 along the edge 60 so as to expose the numeral 52 through the window 44.

It is to be noted that the spacing of windows 20 in both the columns and the rows is substantial and is in each instance about or in excess of the corresponding dimensions of the windows 20. A rectangular sheet 66 of clear transparent plastic material such as cellulose acetate is disposed within the hollow 54 and immediately underlies the top wall 12. The sheet 66 is manually actuable to move horizontally, that is, from left to right or in parallelism to the windows 20 of the rows of windows 20 by means designated generally at 68. The means 68 comprises a red colored transparent marker 70 disposed below the sheet 66 that is integral with an upstanding tab 72 that extends upwardly through a correspondingly dimensional opening 74 in the sheet 66 and an elongated horizontal slot 74 in the top wall 12 that is between the openings 30 and 32 and which is disposed as clearly shown in the drawings.

The tab 72 is movable between the initial position shown in FIG. 1 and a playing position shown thereof in FIG. 2. The numerical indicia 50 printed on the bottom wall can conveniently in the case of the central window 30 be, as shown at 78, the same as that indi cated at 52 and in addition thereto (or in lieu thereof) includes the word FREE in accordance with practices well known to players of bingo. The indicia 78, whatever its character, is viewable of course through the central window 30.

The structure thus far described is entirely conventional and in common and widespread use, and it will be readily appreciated that when the tab 72 is in its leftmost or initial position shown thereof in FIG. ll, the red marker 70 is concealed from view through any of the windows 20, and that the clear (colorless) sheet 66 is in its leftmost and initial position; and that when the tab 72 is in its rightmost or playing position, the red tinted and transparent marker 70 fills the window 30 in that the indicia 78 (which can be black printing on a white background) appears reddish tinted and the indicia 78 appears to the observer to be readable black indicia on a reddish background, and the sheet 66 is in its rightmost or playing position.

Every window 20 in the top wall 12 has provided in association therewith an elongated opening that bears the same relationship to such window as the elongated opening 72 bears to the window 30, as for example, the opening 28 has in association therewith an elongated opening 80. The sheet 66 has a plurality of elongated openings 82 therethrough that are in registry with the openings 80, such opening 82 having longitudinal extents identical to the openings 74 and 80, but having greater widths than the openings 80. The longitudinal extents of the openings 82 are coincident with the longitudinal extents of the openings 80 when the sheet 66 is in its playing position. A plurality of combined marker and sheet 66 actuating means 86 are provided, one each for each window 20 other than the central window 30. Since each means 86 is identical to all the others, it will suffice for all to describe only such means 86 associated with the window 28. The means 86 associated with the window 28 comprises a marker 88 (similar to the marker 70) disposed below the sheet 66 and having an integral upstanding tab portion 90 extending upwardly through the associated slots and 82. The tab is of the same shape and dimensions as the tab 72.

As will be understood all the above described structure is old and widely used, the marker 88 (partially viewable in FIG. 2 through the window 28) is hidden from view by the top wall 12 when the tab 90 is in the position shown in FIG. 1, but entirely fills the view through the window 28 when the tab 90 is in the position shown of the latter in FIG. 2. When the sheet 66 is in its leftmost or initial position, movement of the tab 90 from its leftmost or initial position shown thereof in FIG. I to its rightmost or playing position shown thereof in FIG. 2 forces the sheet 66 to move to its playing position with the further consequence of the marker 70 and the tab 72 being moved to their playing positions of FIG. 2. Movement of any one of the tabs of any of the means does not effect any of the others. Movement of the tab 70 to its leftmost or its initial position moves all the means 86 to their leftmost or initial positions. Movement of the tab 70 to its playing position does not move any of the means Proceeding now to the improvement of the present invention there is provided in association with one or more of the columns and/or rows of numerical indicia means for changing the numerical values of the numbers which are viewable through the windows of such columns and/or rows. In the specific form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, such improvement comprises means for selectively changing the numerical values displayed through the windows of column 22, namely, the values displayed through the windows 38, 40, 34, 36 and 42.

The present invention is such that the numerical values displayed in any selected set of columns and/or rows can be any combination of numerical values and permutation thereof. While any combination of numerical values or permutation thereof can be selectively displayed through the windows of any row or column, needless to say, the display or displays to be made in practicing the invention are to be limited to the display of numerical values compatible with permissible numerical arrays. For example, in carrying out the invention, the change of a displayed array should not present a numerical value at a particular window that is not a permissible value at such window, or such that a numerical value be presented more times than permissible.

In other words, the invention can be applied to present any sequence of numerical values in, say, column 22 (including the sequence 7 8 7 7 7); however, the invention is to be practiced with numerical value selections being made in a manner compatible with the man-made rules and customs of bingo. As with about any invention, the same can be abused or carried out in an absurd or uproductive manner. The selection of numerical arrays printed on the bottom wall and the possible modifications of such arrays through the windows 20 is not the stuff of this invention per se, and such is left to those conversant with the game of bingo and probably also conversant with the laws of probabil ity concerning the degree such modifications affects the average number of plays for a card to be a winner, and the avoidance of or minimization of the chance of any two cards (of a large group of the latter being simultaneous winners. The instant invention is primarily concerned with enabling selective modification in displayed arrays, and is within such field of concern also secondarily concerned with permuting the numerical values displayed in one or more columns, especially a permutation involving the interchange of position of two numerical values as displayed in a column. For this purpose, an elongated and rectangular slide 100 is slidably positioned within the hollow 54 at a position underlying one of the columns of windows column 22 being illustrated, though it will be apparent that the slide 100 could underlie any of the other columns of windows. The slide 100 is of appreciable thickness though of substantially less thickness than the intermediate or spacer wall 16.

A rectangular sheet of clear and transparent plastic 102 (such as cellulose acetate) is disposed in the hollow 54 below the sheet 66 and the previously described markers associated with the tabs 72 and 90. The sheet 102 overlies the slide 100 and conforms generally in size and configuration to the hollow 54 so as to be confined or held in position by the spacer plate edges 56, 68, 60 and 62.

The slide 100 had a width substantially greater than the width of the windows 38, 40, 34, 36 and 42 and can conveniently be at least as great as the center-to-center spacing of adjacent columns of the windows.

The spacer wall 16 is cut out or recessed at 104 and 106 along the edges 58 and 60 to accommodate the opposite end portions 108 and 110 of the slide 100, respectively, during movements of the slide 100 hereinafter described. The end portion 110 of the slide 100 has an upstanding tab 112 fixed thereto that slidably extends through an elongated slot 114 in the top wall 58, The slot has its longitudinal extent aligned centrally with the column 22 of windows and is disposed adjacent the lower marginal edge 116 of the card 10. As in the case of the tabs 72 and 90, the tab 112 is elongated in the direction of the elongation of its associated slot.

When the slide 100 is in its first position, the lower end edge 118 of the slide 100 bottoms out in the recess 106 and the tab 112 is disposed at the lower end of the slot 114 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 1, respectively. When the slide 100 is moved to its second position, not shown, the upper end edge 120 of the slide 100 bottoms out in the upper recess 104 and the tab 112 of the slide 100 is disposed at its upper position in the slot 114 as shown in FIG. 2.

It should be mentioned that movement of the slide 100 between its first and second positions is effected manually by using the tab 112 as a finger grip. In this connection, it should be noted that the top wall 12 is provided with a doubleheaded arrow indicia 122 adjacent the slot 114 to make it clear to a player the direction of movement of the tab 112 as all the other tabs 72 and 90 move at right angles thereto, and the lower and upper end arrows of the indicia 122 are respectively labeled NO at 124 and USE at 126 whereby to facilitate the player complying with play calls. For example, the tab 112 is placed adjacent the legend NO" 124 on starting a game, and either must or can optionally (depending on rules, call or custom of the house) move the tab 112 to the USE 126 position. The importance of such a command or optional change will be made clear presently.

The extent of movement of the slide 100 between the first and second positions thereof is approximately the center-to-center spacing of adjacent windows in the column 22.

While the slide can have a length such that neither of the ends 118 or of the slide 100 is ever displayed entirely from its associated recess 104 and 106, respectively, such an arrangement necessitates a greater spacing of the opposite extremities of the recesses 104 and 106 and the likelihood of the card having to be increased in overall height (its dimension parallel to the extent of the columns of windows). In the preferred construction, the slide 100 is shortened to such an extend that the upper end 120 of the slide is entirely removed from the recess 104 when the slide is in its first position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. While some guid ing effect on the motion of the slide 100 is imparted by the side edges 132 and 134 of the recess 106 and by the tab 112 in the slot 114, such guiding effect may be inadequate and more reliable guiding means is provided in the preferred construction, the same being in the form of a rectangular piece of flexible and clear transparent plastic sheet material such as cellulose acetate being positioned between overlapping portions of the bottom wall 14 and the spacer wall 16. The wall underlies the entire extent of the recess 104 and is secured to the spacer wall 16 by a pair of staples 152 on opposite sides of the recess 104. The staples 152 are not essential as it is preferred that the stitching extends through the sheet 150, but simplifies proper assembly.

The sheet 150 projects into the hollow 52 toward the recess 106, and is provided with a slot 154 therein that is in alignment with the slide 100 and the recesses 104 and 106. The sheet 150 and its slot 154 serve to guide the slide 100 as the latter extends between the free edge 156 of the guide sheet 150 (between the latter and the bottom wall 14) and thence slidably extends through the slot 154 and thence between the sheets 102 and 150. The flexibility of the sheet 150 permits such distortion of the latter about the slot 154 that the slide 100 is substantially flush with opposite sides of the sheet 150 on opposite sides of the slot 154.

It is thought evident that the slotted sheet 150 will serve to guide the movement of the slide 100 to keep the latter in alignment with the recess 104.

The slide 100 is such that differeing sets of numerals are viewed through the windows of column 22 when the slide is in its first and second positions. The slide 100 of FIGS. 1-4 is formed of a clear transparent sheet of plastic material such as cellulose acetate.

Selected portions of the longitudinal extent of the slide is provided with numerical indicia. Such numerical indicia comprises an opaque background of one color having opaquely printed thereon in a contrasting color a numeral. A portion of the slide 100 that is so modified from clear transparency can be disposed along the length of the slide 100 (when the latter is in its first position) so as to be either in registry with one of the windows 38, 40, 34, 36 or 42, or in registry with an opaque portion of the top wall 12 intermediate or directly below one of such windows.

For example, the slide 100 can be provided with opaque indicia and 172 such as described above that are positioned on the slide to be in registry with the opaque top wall portions 174 and 176, respectively, when the slide 100 is in its first position. The top wall portions 174 and 176 are intermediate windows 34 and 36, and 36 and 42, respectively. No portion of the indicia 170 and 172 (numeral or background) is visable through any of the windows when the slide is in its first position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, but such indicia 170 and 172 are displayed through and constitute the entire view through the windows 34 and 36, respectively, when the slide 100 is in its second position as shown in FIG. 2.

The indicia 50 on the bottom wall includes the numerical indicia 180, 182, 184, 186 and 188, respectively, in registry with the windows 38, 40, 34, 36 and 42; such indicia being illustrated as the numerals 8, l2, 2, 6 and 7 in the illustrated embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the indicia 180, 182, 184, 186 and 188 are viewable through or displayed through the windows 38, 40, 34, 36 and 42, such indicia being easily seen through the sheets 66 and 102, and the transparent slide, as well as the exposed extent of the guide sheet 150.

When the slide 100 is moved to its second position, the indicia 170 and 172 covers up and entirely conceals the indicia 184 and 186, respectively. In other words, the displayed numerical sequence is changed, reading top to bottom, from 8, 12, 2, 6 and 7 to 8, l2, 6, 2 and 7; that is, the initial sequence is permuted by the interchange of position of two numerals. Thus the illustrated structure can be called a permuting means.

Indeed, such is a narrow view of the capability of the illustrated structure, inasmuch as a second sequence of numbers can be substituted for the initial sequence. Such second set can involve the same combination as shown on any desired different combination in any desired permutation. Only one to as many as five (assuming five windows) indicia can be placed on the slide 150 in positions concealed by the top wall 12 when the slide 100 is in its first position instead of only two.

Furthermore, noting that movement of the slide 100 from its second to its first position changes the displayed sequence from 8, l2, 6, 2 and 7 to 8, 12, 2, 6 and 7, the slide may alternately or additionally be provided with from one to five indicia that are exposed to view solely when the slide 100 is in its first position. In the limit, ten indicia can be placed on the slide 100 with selective display of one set of five indicia and the other set of five indicia interdigitated therewith. In such limited case, the slide 100 can, of course, be entirely opaque.

It is important to note that the indicia on the slide can present numerals in the same color and on the same color background as employed in the case of the indicia 50 on the bottom wall 14, though such need not be the case, and if desired the indicia (or some of the indicia) on the slide 100 can employ tinted numerals and backgrounds such as to appear as though the marker means 86 had been actuated relative thereto.

The invention can increase the chance of any card being a winner and at the same time reduce the number of calls or plays required to obtain a winner thus stimulating greater interest and speeding activities.

Permuting or sequence changing means can be applied to any selected column, such as columns 24 or 46 in lieu of or in addition to such means illustrated and described relative to column 22. Indeed, sequence I changing means can be provided for all five of the columns in which event the various slides have sliding lateral edges which serve to mutually guide each other.

While the means for changing or presenting entirely different number sets or sequences has been shown as applied to a vertical column of windows, the principles of the invention are equally applicable to horizontal rows of windows.

Attention is now directed to the form of the invention shown in FIG. 5 which differs from that shown in FIGS. 14 solely in the form of the slide. The slide of FIG. 5 is designated at 200 and has the same peripheral dimensions as the slide and bears the same relationships to the other parts of the card as, for example, to the guide sheet and the slot 154. The slide 200 includes or is provided with an upstanding tab 202 identical to the tab 112 and extends through the top wall slot 1 14.

The slide 200 is of opaque material and has indicia 204 and 206 thereon at the positions of indicia and 172 of the slide 100. The slide has rectangular cutouts 208 and 210 so that no part of the slide 200 is visable through the windows 38, 40, 34, 36 and 42 when the slide 200 is in its first position (shown in FIG. 5), and so that no part of the slide 200 is visable through the windows 38, 40 aand 42 when the slide is in its second position which exposes the indicia 204 and 206, respectively, through the windows 34 and 36. The cutout portions 208 and 210 function as though such portions of the longitudinal extent of the slide 200 was transparent as in the case of the slide 100.

Attention is now directed to the modified form of the invention shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9. This modified form of the invention is designated generally at 300 and in a number of respects is fairly similar to the previously described form of the invention in that the same includes a bottom wall 302 of opaque material on which a numerical array 304 is presented that is in registry with an array 306 of windows or openings in an opaque top wall 308. The top and bottom walls 308 and 302 are, excepting only distinctions hereinafter pointed out specifically, generally similar to the previously described top and bottom walls 10 and 12 of the card 10. As in the case of the card 10, the top and bottom walls 308 and 30 engage and are peripherally secured, as by stitching 310, to an intermediate wall or spacer plate 3 12. The latter, except as hereinafter indicated, is similar to the intermediate wall 16 of the card 10.

The central part of the intermediate or spacing wall 312 is cut away to accommodate movable parts of the card 300 disposed within the card 300 in space 314 therein that is laterally bounded by upper and lower edges 316 and 318, and side edges 320 and 322.

Conventionally and as in the case of the card 10, a clear plastic sheet 324 is disposed below the top wall 308 and the same is fixed to an upstanding tab 326 that extends through an elongated slot 328 in the top wall 308 in the proximity of a window 330 in the center of the square five-by-five window array 306. Each of the windows other than window 330 is associated with an upstanding tab slidable in and extending upwardly through an elongated slot adjacent to its respective window. Each of such other tabs is also slidable in an elongated slot in the clear sheet 324. A pair of such tabs are shown at 332 and 334 in association with windows 340 and 342, respectively, and such tabs are respectively slidable, solely in the horizontal direction, in slots 344 and 346.

The tab 326 is L-shaped and includes a flat portion 350 that underlies the sheet 324 and is in registry with the window 330 when and only when the tab 350 and the sheet are moved to the right to an extent limited by the length of the slot 328. Such tab portion 350 is entirely hidden by the top wall 308 when the tab 326 is moved to its leftmost position in the slot 328.

The exemplary tabs 332 and 334 slidably extend through slots 352 and 354, respectively in the sheet 324, and also include flat, indicia bearing portions 356 and 358, respectively, that underlie the clear and transparent sheet of plastic (such as cellulose acetate, for example) 324; such tab portions 356 and 358 being hidden by the top wall 308 and viewable through the windows 336 and 338 (and the sheet 324) when the tabs are respectively at the left and right ends of their respective slots 344 and 346. t

The arrangement is conventional and essentially that previously described in connection with card 10 in that all tabs are moved to the left and their respective indicia bearing portions hidden by the top wall 308 when the tab 326 is moved to the left, the tab 326 acting on the sheet 324 which in turn acts on all the other tabs. The sheet 324 and the tab 326 are moved to the right (if not already in their rightmost positions) whenever any of the other tabs, such as the tab 334, is moved to the right, the tab 334 acting on the sheet 324 and the sheet 324 acting solely on the tab 326.

The edges 320 and 322 of the spacer wall are spaced more than far enough to accommodate the sheet 324 in its described movements.

Aside from discussing such indicia as may be carried by the tab portions 350, 356 and 358, the structure of the card 300 thus far discussed requires no further elaboration and the same is true of the function thereof in view of the operation of the corresponding parts of the card 10. The functions of the tabs 326, 332 and 334 correspond to correspondingly positioned tabs of the card 10.

A pair of slidable, indicia bearing selector means are provided for selectively displaying a selected one of two alternative arrays of numerical values through the window array 306 in lieu of the array of numerical indicia 304 that is normally displayed through the window array 306. Such two selector means are generally designated at 370 and 372. The selector means 370 comprises a generally flat and rectangular slide member 374 disposed in the space 314, preferably directly below the sheet 324 and the tabs 326, 332 and 334. The member 374 has at its upper or top end a pair of oppositely extending laterally extending portions 376 and 378 that terminate in edges 380 and 382, respectively. The edges 380 and 382 have a spacing less than (but preferably such as to make sliding and guiding contact with) the edges 320 and 322, respectively, of the spacer wall 312. The preferred spacing is such that assembly of the card 300 is facilitated as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, and such that the movement of the slide member 374 is smoothly guided.

the portions 376 and 378 are respectively provided with upstanding and elongated tabs fixed thereto that respectively extend upwardly through a pair of elongated slots 388 and 390 in the top wall 308. In addition, the slide member 374 is provided with another upstanding tab 392 that extends upwardly through a slot 394 in the top wall. As clearly shown in the drawings, the slots 388 and 390 are spaced respectively to the left and right of the upper part of the window array 306, and the slot 394 is disposed below the central part of the window array 306.

The arrangement is such that the tabs 384, 386 and 392 respectively slide in the slots 388, 390 and 394 and coact therewith to guide and limit vertical sliding movement of the slide member 374 between an inactive or lower position and an active or upper position that correspond to the relative positions shown of the parts in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The slide member has a plurality of horizontally spaced opaque bands 400, 402, 404, 406 and 408, and such bands are connected by clear and transparent bands 410, 412, 414 and 416, and a clear and transparent band 418 is disposed above the opaque band 408. The width of and positioning of the bands 400-418 are such in relation to the dimensions of the windows of the array 306 and in relation to the extend of the vertical movement of the slide member permitted by the slots 388, 390 and 394 that horizontal rows of windows 420, 422, 426 and 428 are in registry respectively with bands 418, 410, 412, 414 and 416 when the slide member 374 is in its inactive or lower position shown in FIG. 7, are respectively in registry with opaque bands 400, 402, 404, 406 and 408 when the slide member is in its active or upper position shown in FIG. 8. The slide member 374 can be moved between the inactive and active positions by finger gripping and gently forcing one or more of the tabs 384, 386 or 392 in the appropriate direction, it being understood that the slide member 374 tends to a modest degree to be frictionally retained in any position in which it happens to be dis posed.

In the preferred construction, the part of the slide member 374 constituted of the bands 400-418 is a single sheet of clear and transparent plastic, having a heavily pigmented and highly cohesive paint applied thereto to constitute the opaque bands 400-408. Preferably the highly pigmented paint is white in color. Against the opacity of the painted bands 400-408 is painted an array of indicia 430 such as the word FREE at 432 and the numerals 29 and 3 respectively at 434 and 436. When in its active or upper position, the indicia 432, 434 and 436 respectively register with and are viewable through the windows 330, 336 and 338, respectively.

Unless the array 304 on the bottom wall 302 is obscured by selector means 372, the array 304 is viewable through the window array 306 when the selector means 370 is in the condition shown in FIG. 1; however, when the selector means is moved to the position shown in FIG. 8, the array 304 is totally obscured by the opaque bands 400-408, and the alternative array 430 is in registry with and viewable through the window array 304. The array 430 can bear any desired numerical relation to the array 304. By way of example one, two or more of the vertical rows of numerical indicia of the array 430 can be permutations of the corresponding vertical rows of indicia 304. On the other hand, the arrays 304 and 430 can have only a random relationship to each other and actuation of selector means 370 can be effectively the same as having selected an entirely different conventional bingo card.

Preferably, the indicia 430 is of a color distinct from that of indicia 304. The latter can, for example, be black printed or painted on a white background, with the indicia 403 being green on a white background. Preferably the tabs 384, 386 and 392 are of the same color (green in this example) as the indicia 430 to clearly relate such tabs to the array of indicia 430.

llll

For a reason to become apparent, the lower left portion of the slide member 374 is cut out as indicated at 440.

The selector means 372 is quite similar to the selector means 370 and includes a slide member 450 interposed between the slide member 374 and the bottom wall 302. The slide member 450 is provided with upstanding tabs 452, 454 and 456 that project upwardly through slots 458, 460 and 462, respectively, in the top wall 308. The slots 458, 460 and 462 are disposed relative to the slots 383, 390 and 394 as clearly shown in the drawings, and the tabs 452, 454 and 456 are movable in such slots between positions corresponding to an inactive or lower position and an active or upper position as shown respectively in FIGS. 8 and 9.

As in the case of the slide member 374, the slide member 450 is constituted of a plurality of alternate bands of clear transparent material such as the bands shown at 500 and 502, and of opaque bands such as those shown at 504 and 506. The opaque bands can be opaque by reason of white paint, as in the case of the slide member 374. The opaque bands of the slide member 450 are provided with indicia 510 in a manner analogous to the indicia 430 of the slide member 374. The color of the indicia 510 is chosen to be distinct from that of the indicia 304 and of the indicia 430. The indicia 304 can be black and the indicia 430 can be green as mentioned previously, and in such case the indicia 510 can conveniently be red. The tabs 452, 454 and 456 are preferably of the same color as the indicia 510.

From the description previously given of the operation of the selector means 370, the operation of the selector means 372 will be readily understood in that when the slide member 450 is in its inactive or lower position as in FIGS. 7 and 8, the latter (by reason of its clear transparent bands being in registry with the window array 306) does not obstruct viewing the indicia 304 through the window array 306; however, the indicia S10 is viewable, when the slide member is in its active or upper position, through the window array 306 (provided selector means 370 is inactive), and in any event the indicia 304 is obscured and hidden.

In view of the foregoing, the indicia 304 is exposed to view through the window array 306 in FIG. 7 as both selector means 370 and 372 are inactivev In FIG. 8, the indicia 430 is exposed to view as the uppermost selector means is active so as to conceal not only the indicia 304, but also to conceal the indicia 450 should the selector means 372 be in its active position rather than the inactive position shown thereof in FIG. 8. In a very real sense the selector means 370 can be said to be dominant over the selector means 372. In FIG. 9, the indicia 450 is exposed to view, and indicia 304 as the selector means 372 is in its active position and the selector means is in its inactive position.

Whereas each of the selector means 370 and 372 tends to be lightly held against movement at all times by frictional forces, such forces as they exist between the selector means 370 and 372 are insufficient by reason of only a light contact therebetween to cause movement of one to cause frictionally moving the other.

The cutout portion 440 of the slide member 374 and a cutout portion 520 of the slide member 450 precludes the tabs 392 and 456 interfering with relative movement of the slide members.

While the provision of two selector means 370 and 372 afford selectively substituting either one of two distinct numerical arrays for that of the indicia 304, it is believed that such flexibility is sufficient and the addition of yet more selector means in a manner that will now be very obvious is not believed necessary or particularly desirable as such provisions would increase costs and tend to make observance of the indicia 304 more difficult through a greater number of transparent portions of slide members, unless clear parts are cut out as much as possible as in the case of the variation of the invention shown in FIG. 5.

Indicia 522 and 524 are placed adjacent the slots 462 and 394 to indicate use of the selector means 372 and 370, respectively.

As in the case of the card 10, indicia 528 is placed on the bottom wall 302 in registry with a window 530 in the top wall 308 to afford specific numerical identification of the card 300.

Attention is now directed to the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a bingo playing card of the type wherein the card has thereon a positional array of vertical columns and horizontal rows of numerical indicia constituting numerical sequences that are normally displayed to view, the improvement comprising in combination therewith of indicia carrying means for selectively obscuring a portion only of the indicia constituting one of said displayed indicia sequences while exposing to unobscured view the indicia constituting the remaining portion of such one of said displayed sequences while displaying to view other numerical indicia in lieu posi' tionally of that obscured by such means, whereby an alternative and different numerical sequence from said one sequence is exposed to view, said means including a selector member slidably mounted onthe card for reciprocating movement between limiting first and second positions and operative in said respective positions selectively to display said one sequence and to display said alternative sequence while obscuring said portion of the indicia. said selector member carrying for movement therewith said other numerical indicia, with said selector member being movable relative to the indicia on the card.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said selector member additionally includes means operatively associated with the indicia of another of said normally displayed sequences and is operative in its first and second positions selectively to display respectively said another of said display sequences and to display indicia carried by the member to constitute another alternative sequence.

3. The combination of claim 1, including a second indicia carrying selector member movable between first and second positions, and means connected with said second selector member for changing the indicia displayed upon movement of the second member from its first to its second position.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein said second selector member overlies the first mentioned selector member.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said card includes with respect to the indicia constituting said one sequence a series of windows therein through which numerical indicia is displayed, with said windows being spaced from each other by opaque portions, said other numerical indicia carried by the selector member being in registry with and obscured by said opaque portions and being in registry with and displayed through the windows respectively when said selector member is in its first and second positions.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein said selector member has a window therein that is in registry with a window in the card and an opaque portion of the card respectively when the selector member is in said one and in said other of the two recited positions of the latter.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein said window in the selector member is comprised of the latter having an opening therethrough.

8. The combination of claim 6, wherein said window in the selector member is comprised of the latter including a transparent portion.

9. A bingo card of the type for displaying an array of numerical indicia that includes a top wall that is provided with an array of windows for enabling the visual observance of numerical indicia that may be disposed below the top wall and in registry with the windows, each of the latter being spaced from each other by opaque portions of the top wall, in combination with numerical indicia bearing selector means slidably mounted below said top wall for movement between two positions wherein a plurality of numerical indicia thereon is selectively disposed in concealment by opaque portions of the top wall and in visually exposed locations in registry with a plurality of windows, whereby differing numerical arrays can be displayed on movement of the selector means between its positions, said bingo card including a bottom wall that is fixed in position relative to the top wall, and numerical indicia on said bottom wall in registry with the windows, said selector means including both opaque and transparent portions that respectively overlie at least some of said indicia on the bottom wall when the selector means is moved between its positions, and said indicia bearing selector means bearing its indicia on said opaque portions thereof. I

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein the transparent portions of the selector means comprise the latter having openings therethrough.

11. The combination of claim 9, wherein the transparent portions of the selector means comprise the latter including transparent solid material.

12. The combination of claim 9, wherein the windows in the top wall are defined by said top wall having openings therethrough.

13. The combination of claim 9, including a second indicia bearing selector means substantially identical in structure to the first mentioned indicia bearing selector means, said second selector means underlying the first mentioned selector means and being interposed between the latter and the bottom wall, said first mentioned and the second selector means and the indicia on the bottom wall being so constructed and arranged that three mutually distinct numerical indicia arrays are presented upon (a) the first mentioned and the second selector means both being in one position, (b) only one of them being in its other position, and (c) only the other of them being in its other position.

14. The combination of claim 13, wherein three mutually distinct colors are present in association with the three mutually distinct numerical arrays, with the indicia on the first mentioned selector means, on the bottom wall and on the second selector means incorporating respectively said three mutually distinct colors. 

1. In a bingo playing card of the type wherein the card has thereon a positional array of vertical columns and horizontal rows of numerical indicia constituting numerical sequences that are normally displayed to view, the improvement comprising in combination therewith of indicia carrying means for selectively obscuring a portion only of the indicia constituting one of said displayed indicia sequences while exposing to unobscured view the indicia constituting the remaining portion of such one of said displayed sequences while displaying to view other numerical indicia in lieu positionally of that obscured by such means, whereby an alternative and different numerical sequence from said one sequence is exposed to view, said means including a selector member slidably mounted on the card for reciprocating movement between limiting first and second positions and operative in said respective positions selectively to display said one sequence and to display said alternative sequence while obscuring said portion of the indicia, said selector member carrying for movement therewith said other numerical indicia, with said selector member being movable relative to the indicia on the card.
 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said selector member additionally includes means operatively associated with the indicia of another of said normally displayed sequences and is operative in its first and second positions selectively to display respectively said another of said display sequences and to display indicia carried by the member to constitute another alternative sequence.
 3. The combination of claim 1, including a second indicia carrying selector member movable between first and second positions, and means connected with said second selector member for changing the indicia displayed upon movement of the second member from its first to its second position.
 4. The combination of claim 3, wherein said second selector member overlies the first mentioned selector member.
 5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said card includes with respect to the indicia constituting said one sequence a series of windows therein through which numerical indicia is displayed, with said windows being spaced from each other by opaque portions, said other numerical indicia carried by the selector member being in registry with and obscured by said opaque portions and being in registry with and displayed through the windows respectively when said selector member is in its first and second positions.
 6. The combination of claim 5, wherein said selector member has a window therein that is in registry with a window in the card and an opaque portion of the card respectively when the selector member is in said one and in said other of the two recited positions of the latter.
 7. The combination of claim 6, wherein said window in the selector member is comprised of the latter having an opening therethrough.
 8. The combination of claim 6, wherein said window in the selector member is comprised of the latter including a transparent portion.
 9. A bingo card of the type for displaying an array of numerical indicia that includes a top wall that is provided with an array of windows for enabling the visual observance of numerical indicia that may be disposed below the top wall and in registry with the windows, each of the latter being spaced from each other by opaque portions of the top wall, in combination with numerical indicia bearing selector means slidably mounted below said top wall for movement between two positions wherein a plurality of numerical indicia thereon is selectively disposed in concealment by opaque portions of the top wall and in visually exposed locaTions in registry with a plurality of windows, whereby differing numerical arrays can be displayed on movement of the selector means between its positions, said bingo card including a bottom wall that is fixed in position relative to the top wall, and numerical indicia on said bottom wall in registry with the windows, said selector means including both opaque and transparent portions that respectively overlie at least some of said indicia on the bottom wall when the selector means is moved between its positions, and said indicia bearing selector means bearing its indicia on said opaque portions thereof.
 10. The combination of claim 9, wherein the transparent portions of the selector means comprise the latter having openings therethrough.
 11. The combination of claim 9, wherein the transparent portions of the selector means comprise the latter including transparent solid material.
 12. The combination of claim 9, wherein the windows in the top wall are defined by said top wall having openings therethrough.
 13. The combination of claim 9, including a second indicia bearing selector means substantially identical in structure to the first mentioned indicia bearing selector means, said second selector means underlying the first mentioned selector means and being interposed between the latter and the bottom wall, said first mentioned and the second selector means and the indicia on the bottom wall being so constructed and arranged that three mutually distinct numerical indicia arrays are presented upon (a) the first mentioned and the second selector means both being in one position, (b) only one of them being in its other position, and (c) only the other of them being in its other position.
 14. The combination of claim 13, wherein three mutually distinct colors are present in association with the three mutually distinct numerical arrays, with the indicia on the first mentioned selector means, on the bottom wall and on the second selector means incorporating respectively said three mutually distinct colors. 